Pipes (G1)

Pipes is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Always wintahrize... yah PIPES.

Pipes is an excellent soldier—tough, brave, and very strong—and otherwise worthy of little note, except for his unusual ability and eccentric hobby. When he came to Earth, Pipes became enamored of the fleshlings' primitive and ingenious technology and could not resist taking home cast-off examples when on missions. Eventually, a previously disused area of the Ark became his own personal museum of nose hair trimmers, patent rulers, and other worthless but fascinating ephemera of the throwaway society. He will gladly talk for endless hours about each prized find.

Only Wreck-Gar can be said really to enjoy an extended tour of Pipes's little museum, but Pipes is a good soldier and a friendly soul, and his comrades generally allow him his little eccentricity.

Pipes's most notable ability, which he is not the most proficient at controlling, is to emit clouds of corrosive gases from his exhaust pipes. This is possible in both modes, but is more useful (except to annoy motorists) in robot mode, where the pipes are on his arms. If he stays at it for at least ten minutes, these noxious gases will eat through a 2" slab of ordinary steel. His own skin is well protected against these gases, but in battle, the coatings may flake off. If he does not notice this (as frequently occurs) he can become vulnerable to his own attack, with unpleasant results.

Fiction

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The Transformers cartoon

Voice actor: Hal Rayle (English), Kenyū Horiuchi (Japanese), Éric Etcheverry (European French), Vicente Gil (Spain-Spanish)

"It'll take two to three weeks if I order the parts today...which I won't."

Pipes was present at the Ark when Trypticon came to destroy it. He and his fellow Autobots made a valiant effort to hold off the Decepticon city-robot, but failed, and the Ark and its volcano were reduced to rubble. When Sky Lynx, Blurr and Wheelie arrived with Metroplex's transformation cog, Pipes installed it, allowing the Autobot giant to transform and defeat Trypticon. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5

"Yep, here's yer problem. His ears were clogged with toothpaste."

Later, he accompanied Rodimus Prime, Kup, and the Aerialbots on a rescue mission after Perceptor and friends disappeared while looking for a source of chronal energy. They found the Quintessons had constructed a Time Window on an asteroid for the purpose of undoing the original Autobot rebellion against the Quintessons on Cybertron. Perceptor was found alone, suffering serious injuries, and his team missing. Pipes's mechanical skills were put to work as a battlefield medic to try and patch up Perceptor, but Perceptor's incoherent mumblings about theoretical physics didn't do anyone much good. Forever Is a Long Time Coming

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers comic

That's a fine Gundam impression you got there, bro.

Pipes was part of a group who arrived to back up Powerglide, who was defending a dog that had been cruelly experimented on by the Decepticons from being hunted and captured by the Combaticons. He and the other Minibots combined with Powerglide in their vehicle modes thanks to the energy within the dog, and spinning furiously, smashed through Bruticus's chest and out the other side in a flying drill attack. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8

Metrowars

While Pipes was stationed at Scramble City during its rebuilding following an attack from Metrotitan, the Decepticons attacked again. Pipes pleaded with Twincast to activate Metroplex, but Twincast was wary of the energy usage on their limited stocks. Nevertheless, Metroplex pressed through and helped send the Decepticons into retreat. Metrowars

Wings Universe

Hi, I'm over here with Tailgate! I'm not waving...

Pipes was present at the first "meeting" between Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime. Battle Lines, Part 6

Marvel The Transformers comics

Pipes was led into battle by Optimus Prime attacking a Decepticon Energon distribution facility. He fought alongside Topspin. Resurrection!

Pipes graduated from Autobot Military Academy, but nearly lost his friend Tailgate to a stupid initiation stunt when the hapless cadet accompanied some other Autobots into the Underworld to prove his courage. Fearing the worst, Pipes and Outback went in after him. When they found Tailgate battling a group of techno-mutants, though, Pipes convinced Outback to hang back and let Tailgate prove himself in combat. Tailgate successfully defeated all comers, and the three Autobots returned to the surface. Underworld!

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

When Shockwave pumped out anti-Autobot propaganda to discourage public sentiment for the newly returned Ark crew, Pipes was among the Autobot civilians seen watching Optimus Prime's "rampage" through San Francisco. Cold War Later, after the insurrection against Shockwave, Pipes was seen training alongside Red Alert and several other Autobots, under Ironhide's supervision. Black Sunshine

2005 IDW continuity

First appearance: More than Meets the Eye #1

Pipes of Pescus Hex The Not Knowing (sometimes Pipes of Helex) was good friends with Riptide and Hubcap. He also had a "type" he looked for in, cough, partners: aquatic-mode triple changers with "minimal kibble [and a] big chest plate". Whether boat-changer Riptide knew this is unknown. No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases

When Rodimus was planning his quest to find the legendary Knights of Cybertron, Pipes and Riptide accompanied Drift to Iacon's religious quarter with the intention of buying a starship. Seeing that Drift was carrying a gold currency card, Pipes tried to get the former Decepticon to guess how much he'd saved up in his travel fund but Drift was more interested in finding the owners of a certain quantum spaceship. After buying the U1 for a billion shanix, it was decided that it needed renaming. Pipes suggested that they hold a competition, while Drift was content to wait for a sign... as they realised that they were attending the Festival of Lost Light. Twenty Plus One

"I'm just looking for someone who is interested in "laying pipes", knowhatimsayin'? Eh? Eh?"

Subsequently, Pipes joined up as a crew member on the newly christened Lost Light to take part in Rodimus' quest. How to Say Goodbye and Mean It He was dismayed that Hubcap wouldn't leave Debris for the trip and that Riptide hadn't bothered to turn up (and would never learn Riptide had been attacked). No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases Following its failed launch, he was sucked out into space and crashed on a nearby planetoid, where he was retrieved by Rodimus and Ultra Magnus and taken back to the ship. Hangers On

An alternate Pipes was created when the Lost Light's quantum engines malfunctioned. If you thought the regular Pipes had had it bad, this duplicate Pipes was killed by Helex, who ripped him in half when the Decepticon Justice Division boarded the ship and slaughtered the crew. The Road Not Taken

Pipes was at the official grand opening of Swerve's bar with Drift, where they toasted to the recently deceased Duobots. Pipes lamented his lack of luck with making friends and ventured that he could start hanging out with Drift and Rodimus. Drift suggested Rewind as a potential friend for him, but Pipes knew he was involved with Chromedome, revealing he was looking for a bit more than friendship. Drift offered to introduce him to Tailgate, feeling the two might have some things in common. No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases

Anticipating his first outing on an alien world, Pipes accompanied Drift and Ratchet to investigate an outbreak in Delphi. On arrival at the medical facility, and before Ratchet could explain the symbol on the door was the universal plague symbol, Pipes used his alternate mode to bust in and found himself hip-deep in dead bots. He was infected with the Red Rust virus by Dent. He menaced Drift while succumbing to the virus, and the other Autobot knocked him out, though he had already passed on the infection. Ratchet took him to be treated. Life After the Big Bang Later, Pipes was cured from the virus by Ratchet's newly acquired vaccine and returned with the group to the Lost Light. How Ratchet Got His Hands Back

In his natural habitat.

Soon afterwards, Pipes was hanging out with some other Autobots at Swerve's when Fortress Maximus went on a shooting rampage. Pipes was Maximus's first victim, but survived and ended up on a bed in the medical bay. Interiors He eventually recovered, and joined a few other Autobots for movie night in Rewind's hab-suite, watching "Proteus's Promise". Who's Afraid of the DJD?

Pipes volunteered to go on a mission to Temptoria to see if a group of Decepticons were holding the Circle of Light there. On the way, he discussed Red Alert's recent decapitation with Hound. The mission presumably didn't go well for Pipes, as he spent the journey back lying on the floor of the Leading Light. Before & After After recovering, he was accidentally shot by Brainstorm's new invention, a gun that fired ennui, and almost shrugged himself to death as a result. Cybertronian Homesick Blues

I... um... I don't want to joke right now.

Pipes visited Blaster to check if the subspace communicator was working so he could send Hubcap a message. He passed the message on, then made his way to Tailgate's room for a movie night...before bumping into Overlord's foot. He attempted to apologize, but was cut off by the Phase-Sixer stomping him to bits. Barely functional and holding his open chest to keep his spark from falling out, he crawled to an alarm and set it off before his spark extinguished. Under Cold Blue Stars

Following the battle against Tyrest on Luna 1, Rodimus returned to his office and vowed to redecorate it with less garish colours and a small memorial to Pipes and the crewmembers he had lost. The Sound of Breaking Glass A 'time fissure' at Swerve's was eventually discovered and allowed people to look back at their departed friends. Tailgate chose to look at Pipes and Drift. It was then that Tailgate finally learned what Pipes had been looking for. No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases

A simulation of Pipes later appeared to Team Rodimus on Mederi alongside the also-deceased Trailcutter. Metastasis The two tried to convince the others that they were in the Afterspark and everyone should accept death. The God War However, the truth behind Mederi was soon uncovered and the apparitions of Pipes and Trailcutter vanished. You Are Here

Pipes was one of the many deceased Cybertronians glimpsed by Soundwave as the Decepticon died using the Enigma of Combination to assist Optimus Prime in his battle against Unicron. Ceremony

TransTech

Pipes was one of many residents of Axiom Nexus. He was seen in the company of Signal Lancer. Transcendent: Part 4

2019 IDW continuity

First appearance: Transformers #16

Stan for stands.

Pipes was walking on the street after one of Tap-Out's fights. Transformers Valentine's Day Special As part of the Senate Guard, Pipes helped provide security for an emergency Senate meeting. The Change In Your Nature Part Four Pipes later attended an illegal skitter race at Swindle's. Swindle's When Sentinel Prime ordered the captive Quake to be paraded through the streets, Pipes worked crowd control. After Roulette expressed her doubts that they could effectively handle the unruly mob, Pipes suggested she look to their particularly-unshakeable comrade Brawn to shore up her confidence. Prisoners

Pipes was present when Ironhide gave the Senate Guard a pep talk before they deployed to provide security for Sentinel Prime's speech denouncing the Ascenticons. Pipes and Chainclaw were stationed to guard the rear entrance of the Senate hall. They were surprised to see Clench and a group of Ascenticons roll up, and Pipes professed admiration of Clench's past career as a gladiator. That made it awkward when Clench suddenly rammed into Pipes and the Decepticon uprising began. We Have Deceived You With the Decepticons having seized the Senate, Pipes took part in the operation to take it back and was part of the team sent to rescue the prisoners held in the building's basement. Prime

Pipes was present to welcome Javelin to the Senate Guard, and listened as Ironhide informed the team that they would now be repurposed to guard Optimus Prime. Their first task was to escort the new Prime to the Forge Pyramid for a chat with Perceptor. Titans Pipes later evacuated Iacon with the rest of the Autobots after Optimus Prime's parlay with Megatron proved fruitless. We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness

"Oh, here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again."

Pipes was part of a detachment of Autobots who accompanied Optimus Prime to speak with Termagax, and set up a defensive position in front of House to counter an incoming Decepticon attack. Pipes shared a foxhole with Sunstreaker and worried when he spied the Rainmakers approaching, but Sunstreaker reassured him that they had a countermeasure prepared. Sea of Rust II During the ensuing battle, Pipes was injured and had to be carried off the field by Brawn when it was over. Enigmatic

Pipes was among the Autobots ready to defend Crystal City when the Decepticons attacked it. A Dust of Crystals They abandoned the city after a truce with the Decepticons, trekking across the Cybertronian wilderness to make it to Darkmount before the Decepticons herded the Autobots into the path of an oncoming horde of rust worms. Radical Time Pipes fought off the horde alongside the others until a repurposed Insecticon clone swarm arrived to feast on the worms, allowing the Autobots to proceed onward. End of Time

After surviving an encounter with Megatron and an imploder, Pipes and the rest of the Prime Guard took part in the final battle at Darkmount. When Devastator defeated Computron, Pipes and four other Guardsmen rushed to the Technobots' aid. Scattershot used the Combination Core within him to re-merge his team and add Pipes and his fellow Guardsmen to an enhanced, larger Computron assemblage. This new super-combiner held the line against Devastator and the Decepticons, allowing Optimus Prime and the other Autobots to escape Cybertron aboard the Ark. After Computron was finally brought down by the united Decepticon army, the Prime Guard and Technobots became Megatron's prisoners. Fate of Cybertron

Precursor World

A Warrior of the Seven Lights resembling Pipes was a member of the Blue Order of the Primus Vanguard. When the traitorous Straxus twins unleashed a rage virus to destroy the corps from within, he was slain in the ensuing brawl. Vanguard supreme leader Primus later loaded the Warrior's lingering spark into his Golden Noah in an attempt to ferry his soul to the next world. God Neptune comic 1 Unfortunately, this did not work. Finale

War for Cybertron Trilogy marketing material

Closer than ever to reaching the AllSpark, the Autobots awakened after crash-landing on pre-Ice Age Earth. While battling the Decepticons, both sides were joined by the Maximals and Predacons, their epic battle changing their combined destinies.

Pipes was a Ground Command Transport Private, Kingdom toy packaging Pipes's function was a warrior and trans-scaned into an Earth semi-truck. His corrosive exhaust and pipe blasters were his powers and weapons, and his core traits were his toughness, bravery, and eccentricity. Pipes's message from the future was that he should take care not to fall victim to his own attack. Kingdom webpage^[1]

After the quantum surge caused a time vortex in an alternate timeline, Pipes and Huffer were fused into Puffer, and alongside GoBot Road Ranger, were pulled to a prehistoric Earth. Golden Disk Collection Chapter 1 After Puffer was sent away in a pod with the Nemesis transwarp drive, and Maximal Tigatron crashed the ship into the quantum surge in the past, the time vortex was undone, preventing Pipes and Huffer from becoming Puffer. Golden Disk Collection Chapter 4

Games

The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth

Along with his fellow Autobots, Pipes protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. He was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth

Transformers Legends

Optimus Prime put Pipes in charge of his own team, which was assigned to protect researchers at a seaside town. The team subsequently had to see off an attack by Overbite and Nautilator. The B-Team Part Deux

Transformers: Earth Wars

Missed opportunity for a new virtual headsculpt.

Pipes arrived on Earth at the same time as Offroad to stop him and help clear the Autobots' name. War Games After Pipes came through the space bridge, the stench of his corrosive fumes put off the ladies Arcee and Windblade, and they excused themselves.

• Class: Warrior
• Lowest Star Rating: 2 stars
• Weapons: Pipes sprays some corrosive fumes from his hand on a target before engaging and attacking it with his fists.
• Ability: Defensive Rush: Puts a protective shield that blocks 80% damage for several seconds, then charges the target and attracts defenses!
  • Cost: 4 ability points +1 cost increase.

Pipes at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki

Toys

The Transformers

Look ma, no hands!
(US/Japanese version pictured)

Look ma, no pipes!
(European version pictured)

• Pipes (Mini Vehicle, 1986)

• Takara ID number: C-60
• Known designers: Hideaki Yoke (TakaraTomy)

First available in the third year of Hasbro's The Transformers toyline (and in the second-year Transformers 2010-branded part of Takara's toyline), Pipes is an extensive retooling of the 1984 Autobot Mini Vehicle Huffer. Like Huffer, Pipes transforms into an "American truck," which is supposed to be either a terminal tractor (also called a "yard truck," a "mule" and several other things) or a single-axle semi truck of indeterminate, probably made-up model (though it strongly resembles a Volvo F88).

He is changed quite a lot from Huffer, moreso than the other 1986 retooled Mini Vehicles; his front is Huffer's back and vice-versa, and his cab transforms differently. Whereas Huffer simply moves the truck cab up to reveal his head and then flips over the smokestacks for arms, Pipes flips the cab over, repositioning it behind his head instead of shelling it like a hood, and his arms just pull out from their truck position. In a nice design touch, the tabs that hold the truck cab in place, sticking out of his robot mode chest, are detailed to look like seats. The grille, headlamp, and bumper detailing on the front of his cab has also changed, and the tips of his smokestacks are cylindrical rather than flattened-out like Huffer's claw-hand-things.

Along with the regular Pipes, a European variant (dubbed "Puffer" by fans) exists which was actually Huffer's original sculpt in Pipes's colors. It is currently uncertain how many countries this version of Pipes was sold in. This is not to be confused with the Mexican version of Pipes (see below), which was also the original Huffer mold, but in slightly different colors.

• Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Pipes at Transformerland.com
• More information on Pipes at TFU.info

Look ma, no confirmed carded samples!

• Pipes (Mini Vehicle, 1987)

In the Mexican Transformers line produced by IGA, Pipes was probably released as a straight redeco of Huffer, sold on Pipes cards. He came in two different, but closely-similar color schemes: metallic-blue with white robot parts, and all-over metallic-blue. Fans have given these versions the nickname "Puffer".

We say "probably" because while IGA appears to have done this old-mold-new-colors-sold-as-new-character move with all of the third-year retooled Mini Vehicles, so far Tailgate and Swerve are the only ones that have been confirmed with carded samples. All of the IGA versions of probably-Hubcap, Outback, and Pipes have only been found loose. So it's highly likely, we just don't have an unopened copy as evidence. Fun!

IGA Transformers also eventually made their way to a variety of European markets, slightly decreasing their rarity.

The all-blue version of Pipes was later repurposed as Shattered Glass Pipes.

• TFSquareOne article detailing the Mexican release of Pipes

Encore

Hey, break ALL the pipes in the sub for more good ideas! Dive! Dive!

• Bumble & Minibots (Multi-pack, 2008)

• ID number: 10

In 2008, Pipes was reissued in the Encore line, bundled with Bumblebee, Swerve, Tailgate, and Outback. In addition to painted headlights, the reissue tampographs his previously decaled Autobot insignia.

Combiner Wars

Wildberry Blue flavored Huffer.

• Autobot Pipes (Legends Class, 2016)

• Accessories: Gun

Part of the fifth wave of the Combiner Wars subline imprint of Generations, "Autobot Pipes" is a redeco of Huffer, and is about the size of a Cyberverse Commander Class toy. He transforms from robot to generic cab-over truck and features 5mm-compatible hands and roof.

His left shoulder features a sticker of an Autobot insignia, due to his shoulder parts being made with unpaintable plastic. Pipes's truck mode is slightly mistransformed: his legs and waist should be in a horizontal position.

Though Pipes's wave was scheduled for a first quarter 2016 release, it actually arrived on U.S. store shelves in late 2015.

• More information on Combiner Wars Pipes at TFU.info

War for Cybertron: Kingdom

Wait, not a Weaponizer Deluxe to recreate that one sequence with Overlord?

• Autobot Pipes (Deluxe Class, 2021)

• Hasbro ID number: WFC-K32
• TakaraTomy ID number: KD EX-15
• TakaraTomy release date: June 25, 2022
• Accessories: 2 pipe blasters
• Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro), Ittoku Kuwazu (TakaraTomy)

Part of the final wave of War for Cybertron: Kingdom Deluxe Class toys, "Autobot Pipes" is a retool of the Huffer from the same line, using new shoulders, forearms, hands, wheels, chest, crotch, and head (which deviates slightly from the cartoon, as the mouthplate is taller and covers the nose more), and an additional transformation step to turn the cab upside down in robot mode. He transforms into a cab-over truck in 16 steps, and the pipe blasters can store on the back or as smokestacks. His robot mode is covered in 5 mm ports as part of the C.O.M.B.A.T. System/F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology. He also has a torso transformation joint that functions as an ab-crunch.

As an extra feature, Pipes can tow Earthrise Optimus Prime's trailer (or any of its redecoes), a carryover from Huffer.

Kingdom Pipes is based on the character's appearance in the original Transformers animated series, but based on how he features a gray rear-window on his cab, is seemingly based on either a non-finalized model (see "Notes" below) or a fan-colored model floating around online.

Pipes's instructions depict his cab-backpack in robot mode being angled at 45-degrees on his back. While this does compress his backpack into a manageable size, it also leaves the backpack inaccurate to his design. The cab-backpack CAN be set to the cartoon-accurate design, but this leaves it jutting out very far from his body. The cab-backpack is also prone to easily popping off its mushroom swivel-peg while trying to move it around during transformation.

Pipes was officially revealed via preorder listing pages at BigBadToyStore and Entertainment Earth in late September 2021, with no public announcement from Hasbro. Though Pipes's wave was scheduled for a first quarter 2022 release, they in fact arrived on U.S. store shelves in December 2021.

In Japan, Pipes was released as a TakaraTomy Mall exclusive.

Pipes was retooled into Autobot Puffer for the Amazon/Hasbro Pulse exclusive "Golden Disk Collection".

Notes

• Pipes's profile picture in Dreamwave's More than Meets the Eye series is very... interesting. Apparently he was originally drawn (likely by Pat Lee) with no hands, as per the toy, then hands (drawn by Don Figueroa) were edited onto the picture at a later point. Pipes's right hand comes from Bristleback's profile picture, while the left comes from Wildfly's.
• Pipes received a movieverse homage in the form of Revenge of the Fallen Blowpipe.

Character model

Left: Unfinalized character model found in The Ark.
Right: Finalized model found among original cartoon production material.

The Five Faces of Pipes.

• Pipes has a total of three known character models:

1. The first is what appears to be based on his Generation 1 toy, with no face and no hands.
2. The second is his pre-final model, which is closer to his final model, only it's got some very small, barely noticeable differences, the biggest being the pose he's drawn in. This model has red eyes based on the toy's red visor and a gray rear-window behind his head. This model appears in his profile published in Marvel Comics' The Transformers Universe (the image used at the top of this very article) and was also published in The Ark series books.
3. The third is his final model, which has much boxer shapes to his design. This model omits the differently-colored rear-window and replaces the pre-final model's red eyes with blue eyes. Due to all of the episodes Pipes appears in being animated by AKOM, the majority of his appearances give him the red eyes of the pre-final model, despite them using the final, meaning that no 100% accurate version of Pipes is ever shown on-screen.

• Pipes shifts between about five different physical appearances in "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5". Of these five appearances, his early toy-accurate model, and his final model appear to be at play. His coloration on the other hand, is solely based on his pre-final model's, with hints of the final model's color differences slipping their way in on occasion. The five different appearances are as follows:

1. The early model based directly on the toy.
2. The aforementioned model, but with the addition of hands.
3. The final model, with the pre-final model's colors (gray rear-window behind his head and red eyes).
4. The final model, with the correct blue eyes, but incorrect gray rear-window (the colors that Hasbro happened to use for his Kingdom toy).
5. The final model, with the correct uncoloured rear-window, but the incorrect red eyes (this is also the way he is depicted in "Forever Is a Long Time Coming").

Foreign names

• Japanese: Pipes (パイプス Paipusu)
• French: Tuyo (Canada)
• Hungarian: Csőtörő ("Pipe-Breaker"^[2])
• Italian: Roccia
• Mandarin: Guǎnzi (管子, "Pipe"), Pipes (Taiwan, 拍普斯 Pāipǔsī)
• Russian: Gudok (Гудок, "Hooter")

References